Walpersberg

Walpersberg is a limestone mountain in Thuringia featuring an intricate system of underground chambers and passages carved through its interior. These passages span multiple levels and connect different sections of the excavated space.

Initially developed for kaolin extraction, the mountain's caverns were repurposed as a weapons production facility during the Second World War. Aircraft assembly occurred here under forced labor conditions imposed by the regime.

The site carries weight as a place where the region confronts difficult history through its preserved spaces and exhibitions. Visitors encounter direct evidence of human suffering and industrial exploitation that shaped this location.

Access to the underground sections requires advance booking for guided group tours. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring warm clothing, as the temperature inside remains cool year-round.

The extensive tunnel system originated from kaolin mining, a clay mineral used in ceramics and bleaching. This earlier purpose shaped the layout of passages and chambers that visitors encounter today.